Camera drive system including motor drive unit and long-film magazine

ABSTRACT

A camera drive system in which a motor drive unit is adapted for use with a long-film magazine, the magazine having a frame counter switch which assumes control of the motor of the drive unit when the magazine and the drive unit are coupled together. A frame counter switch of the drive unit, which normally controls the motor of the drive unit, is rendered ineffective upon the coupling of the magazine to the drive unit. The long-film magazine has a motor which is controlled by a further switch of the drive unit, so as to advance the film cooperatively with the drive unit motor.

United States Patent 1 Daitoku et a1.

[ 1 July 24, 1973 CAMERA DRIVE SYSTEM INCLUDING MOTOR DRIVE UNIT ANDLONG-FILM MAGAZINE Inventors: Koichi Daitoku; Shiro Sugimori, both ofTokyo, Japan Assignee: Nippon Kogaku K.K., Chiyoda-ku,

Tokyo, Japan Filed: Sept. 15,1972

Appl. No.: 289,455

Foreign Application Priority Data Sept. 20, 1971 Japan 46/85594 (utilitymodel) Primary Examiner-Robert P. Greiner Att0rneyShapiro and Shapiro[57] ABSTRACT A camera drive system in which a motor drive unit isadapted for use with a long-film magazine, the magazine having a framecounter switch which assumes control of the motor of the drive unit whenthe magazine and the drive unit are coupled together. A frame counterswitch of the drive unit, which normally controls the motor of the driveunit, is rendered ineffective upon the coupling of the magazine to thedrive unit. The long-film magazine has a motor which is controlled by afurther switch of the drive unit, so as to advance the filmcooperatively with the drive unit motor.

8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures CAMERA DRIVE SYSTEM INCLUDING MOTOR DRIVEUNIT AND LONG-FILM MAGAZINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION associatedtherewith which stops the operation of the drive motor when the framecounter dial reaches its zero position, indicating that all of theframes of film in the camera have been exposed. When a conventionalmotor drive unit is used in combination with a long-film magazine, thefilm is transported by rotating a sprocket of the camera with the motorin the motor drive unit,

and thus transported film is wound up by rotating a take up spool of thelong-film magazine with a drive motor therein. Thus, the film advanceoperation is effected. The shutter charge and shutter release operationsare effected by the motorof the motor drive unit. The number of framesof film which may be loaded into a long-film magazine is several timesthe number of frames which may otherwise be loaded in the camera. Inorderto' accomplish simultaneous operation of the motor drive unit andlong-film magazine unit, the magazine unit is provided with'a furtherswitch associated with. a furtherinverse-count type frame counter, andthe two switches are connected in parallel. As a result, the motorcircuits of the two units remain closed to maintain proper operation ofthe units even when the frame counter'switch of the motordrive unitisopen. The operation of both units is terminated when the frame counterdial of the long-film magazine unit reaches its zero position. v

The prior art devices havingswitches connected in parallel'as abovedescribed have certain disadvantages or limitations. When the long-filmmagazine is loaded with a relatively'short length of film, for exampleapproximately thirty frames long, the'frame counterdial of the motordrive unit must be set to a position corresponding to that of the framecounter dial of the longfilm magazine unit. Otherwise, the frame counterswitch of the motor drive unit'may remain closed and maintain the motorcircuits closed even though the frame counter switch of the long-filmmagazine unit is opened when the film therein is exhausted. Continuedfilm advance operation under such conditions may result in breaking thefilm. Another disadvantage of the prior devices is that the framecounter dials of both units must be set to'the same position when it isdesired to stop the operation of the two units after some of the filmhas been exposed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The primary object of the present invention isto pro- In accordance with a preferred and exemplary embodiment of theinvention, a motor drive unit for a camera includes an electric motorfor advancing the film and charging and releasing the shutter,energization of the motor normally being controlled by a frame counterswitch of the motor drive unit which is opened when the frame counter ofthe drive unit reaches zero. However, when the motor drive unit iscoupled to a long-film magazine unit, the frame counter switch of themotor drive unit is rendered ineffective, and control of theenergization of the drive unit motor is assumed by a frame counterswitch of the long-film magazine unit, which opens the energizationcircuit when a framecounter of the long-film magazine unit reaches zero.The long-film magazine unit has a film-advance motor which is controlledby a further switch of the motor drive unit, but both motor circuits areopened when the frame counter switch of the long-film magazine isopened.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be betterunderstood from the following detailed description of preferredembodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

. FIG. 1 is a front'view of a camera with both the motor drive unit anda long-film magazine unit assembled therewith;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of FIG. 1; I 1

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a first embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is.a circuit diagram of a second embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 7 Referring to FIG. 1, a camerabody 1 has a motor drive unit 2 attached thereto in a conventionalmanner. The motor drive unit includes an electric drive motor M1 and aframe counter 3 of the inverse-count type having a dial with a scale forindicating the maximum available number of film frames. As known in theart, the counter dial is set to the number of frames to be exposed andmoves one scale division toward zero in response to the advance of eachframe of film. A normally closed switch S4 (see FIG. 3) is associatedwith the frame counter and is opened when the counter dial reaches itszero position, that is, when all of the frames of film in the camerahave been exposed. A connector 4 is provided for connection with anexternal power source. Connectors 5 and 6, having mating terminals suchas 7 and 8 (see FIG. 2), are provided for coupling the motor drive unit2 to a long-film magazine unit 17. Snap ring 9 may be employed to holdterminal 8 in place.

A slide pin 10 is mounted upon connector 5 for axial movement andnormally assumes a position indicated by phantom lines in FIG. 2. Whenthe motor drive unit and the magazine unit are coupled and assembledwith the camera, the slide pin is retracted to the illustrated full-lineposition against the force of a spring II by engagement with theconnector 6 of the magazineunit 17. An insulator cap 12 is secured tothe forward end of the slide pin to displace one of leaf springterminals 13 and 14 constituting a switch S6, and thereby to open theshown) of the camera, the sprocket being rotated by motor Ml when thefilm is wound up. Thus, the rotation of the sprocket 18 is transmittedto a frame counter 22 of the inverse inverse-count type through gears 20and 21. The counter 22 is provided with a switch S7 which is opened whenthe counter 22 indicates zero. The magazine unit also includes a drivemotor M2, which, as will be seen hereinafter, is controlled by a switchS (FIG. 3) of the motor drive unit when the magazine unit is coupled tothe drive unit. A gear 23 is secured to the shaft of motor M2 andengages a two-step gear 24, which in turn meshes with a gear 25 securedto the film take-up spool 19 by means of a pin 26. Thus, rotation of themotor M2 is transmitted through gears 23, 24 and 25 to the film take-upspool 19, which rotates to take-up the film FIGS. 3 and 4 show twoembodiment of the invention by which single frame phototaking can becarried out.

In FIG. 3 the portion encircled by a broken line 32 illustrates thecircuit of the long-film magazine unit 17, and the portion encircled bythe broken line 33 illustrates the circuit of the motor drive unit 2. Asis the case with the aforesaid terminals 7 and 8, the terminals 7', 7",7" of connector 5 of the motor drive unit are adapted to be connected,respectively, to terminals 8', 8", and 8 of connector 6 of the long-filmmagazine unit 17.

A switch S1 in series with motor M1 is connected to a terminal a whenfilm windup and shutter charge operations by the driving mechanism (notshown) are completed (as shown in FIG. 3), while automatically switchedover to a terminal b in a state where shutter release by the drivingmechanism is finished. Switches S2 and S3 are connected to terminals 0and e, respectively, when push button 27 is freed (FIG. 3), whileswitched over to terminals d and e when the push button 27 is depressed.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 operates inthe following manner: The long-film magazine 17 and the motor drive unit2 are coupled together and assembled with the camera body, wherebyelectrical connection is established between the circuits of the unitsthrough the terminals groups 7, 7', 7", 7" and 8, 8', 8", 8".Concurrently, the slide pin 10 of the motor drive unit is actuated toopen switch S6. As a result, the frame counter switch S4 of the motordrive unit 2, which is connected in series with the switch S6 and whichnormally (in the absence of the magazine unit 17) controls theenergization of the motor M1, is rendered ineffective. Instead, controlof the energization of motor MI is assumed by switch S7 of magazine unit17, an alternate energization circuit being provided through terminals7" and 8".

If the push button 27 ofthe motor drive unit is moved in one direction,switch S2 is transferred from terminal c to terminal d, and switch S3from terminal e to terminalf, thereby providing a motor driving circuitfrom an external power source (not shown) connected to connector 4 andthrough terminals 7 and 8, switch S7, terminals 8" and 7", terminal d ofswitch S2, terminal a of switch SI, motor MI and back to the powersource. 'lhus, motor MI is energized to actuate shutter releasemechanism (not shown) so that shutter release is clfected. When theshutter release is completed, switch 81 connected to terminal a isswitched over to terminal b, providing a short-circuit from motor Ml,through terminal b of switch S1, terminalfof switch S3 to motor Ml sothat motor M1 is stopped from rotating.

If the push button 27 is freed, switch S2 connected to terminal d isswitched over to terminal c, and switch S3 contacting terminalfisswitched over to terminal e. Thus, there is formed a further drivingcircuit from the external power source and through terminals 7 and 8,switch S7, terminals 8" and 7", terminal e of switch S3, terminal b ofswitch S1, motor MI and back to the external power source. As a result,motor M1 is again rotated to actuate film winding-up and shuttercharging mechanisms (not shown) so that the sprocket of the camera isrotated .by an angular distance which is required to advance a frame ofthe film (film winding-up operation) and shutter charge operation iscarried out. With the film winding-up and shutter charge operations,switch S5 is closed, thereby providing a motor driving circuit from theexternal power source and through terminals 7 and 8, switch S7,terminals 7" and 8", switch S5, terminals 7" and 8", motor M2 and backto the external power source. Thus, motor M2 is rotated. By thisrotation of the motor M2, film take-up shaft 19 of the long filmmagazine unit is rotated through gears 23, 24 and 25 so that film lengthadvanced by the sprocket which is rotated by the motor M2 is wound up.As above mentioned, the film wind-up operation is carried out bysimultaneously rotating the motors M1 and M2.

Upon the completion of the film wind-up and shutter charge operations,switch S1 is switched over to termi nal a, thereby providing ashort-circuit from motor Ml through terminal a of switch S1, terminal cof switch S2 to the motor Ml so that motor M1 is deenergized. Then,switch S5 is opened. In other words, when the push button 27 is freed,the film wind-up and shutter charge operations are completed as shown inFIG. 3.

Thus, a single frame phototaking can be carried out.

Through the described series of operation, the film is progressivelyadvanced and the shutter charged and released to accomplishpicture-taking. When the frame counter dial 22 of the long-film magazineunit reaches its zero position, switch S7 is opened to break the circuitthrough S7 from the power source at connector 4, thereby deenergizingthe entire system.

Although operation of the system has been described in conjunction withan external power source connected to connector 4, a self-containedpower source, such as a battery or the like, may be employed, terminals7 and 7' being then connected to terminals 29 and 31, respectively. Ifthe long-film magazine 17 is used, the connection may alternatively beaccomplished by the use of the terminals 28 and 30 of the long-filmmagazine.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which the externalpower source connector 4 is eliminated, as well as the switch S6, theslide pin 10, and terminal 8. The construction is otherwise similar tothat of FIGS. 1 3. Terminals 7 and 7' of the connector are connectedwith the terminals 29 and 31 of the selfcontained power source when thelong-film magazine is not used. In this case, operation of the motordrive unit is controlled by switch S4. When the long'film magazine unitis used, terminals 29 and 31 of the power embodiment of FIG. 4 switch S4is rendered ineffective by using terminal 7" instead of terminal 7 forpower supply.

Thus, according to the present invention, when the motor drive unit andthe long-film magazine unit have been assembled with a camera, only theframe counter dial switch S7 of the long-film magazine unit acts tocontrol the overall operation, independently of the frame counter dialswitch S4 of the motor drive unit. Accordingly, only the frame counterdial 22 of the long-film magazine unit needs to be set to a desirednumberv of frames to be photographed, thereby eliminating theinconveniences associated with the setting of the frame counter dial ofthe motor drive unit and affording simplification of operation.

We claim:

1. A motor drive unit for a camera, comprising means including anelectric motor for advancing film, a counter for counting the number offilm frames, means including a switch associated with said counter forproviding an energization circuit for said motor and for deenergizingsaid motor when said counter has reached a given count, and ineans forrendering said switch ineffective to provide an energization circuit forsaid motor and for providing another energization circuit for said motorindependently of said switch.

2. A motor drive unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein thelast-mentioned means comprises a longfilm magazine having a film-framecounter and means including a switch associated with the last-mentionedcounter for opening the last-mentioned circuit when the last-mentionedcounter reaches a given count.

3. A motor drive unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein thelast-mentioned means comprises a longfilm magazine having means forcoupling the same to said drive unit and for rendering said switchineffective and providing said other energization circuit upon thecoupling of said magazine to said drive unit.

4. A drive system for a camera, comprising a motor drive unit havingmeans including an electric motor for advancing film in the camera,having a first film-frame counter means, and having first meansincluding a first switch for controlling the energization of said motorin order to deenergize said motor when said first counter means reachesa given count; a long-film magazine unit having a second film-framecounter means and having second means including a second switch forcontrolling the energization of said motor in order to deenergize saidmotor when said second counter means reaches a given count, and meansfor rendering said second means effective to control the energization ofsaid motor instead of said first means.

5. A drive system in accordance with claim 4, wherein said motor driveunit and said long-film magazine unit include means for coupling thesame and wherein said rendering means is responsive to said coupling.

6. A system in accordance with claim 5, wherein the last-mentioned meanscomprises a further switch in said drive unit in series with the firstswitch and means for opening the further switch when the drive unit andthe long-film magazine unit are coupled.

7. A system in accordance with claim 5, wherein the last-mentioned meanscomprises means for selectively connecting a power source eitherdirectly to a circuit of said drive unit including said first switch orthrough a circuit of said long-film magazine unit to a circuit of saiddrive unit not including said first switch.

8. A system in accordance with claim 4, wherein said long-film magazineunit has means including a second electric motor for advancing film fromsaid magazine, and wherein said drive unit has means including anotherswitch for controlling said second electric motor cooperatively withsaid first electric motor to effect film advance.

1. A motor Drive unit for a camera, comprising means including anelectric motor for advancing film, a counter for counting the number offilm frames, means including a switch associated with said counter forproviding an energization circuit for said motor and for deenergizingsaid motor when said counter has reached a given count, and means forrendering said switch ineffective to provide an energization circuit forsaid motor and for providing another energization circuit for said motorindependently of said switch.
 2. A motor drive unit in accordance withclaim 1, wherein the last-mentioned means comprises a long-film magazinehaving a film-frame counter and means including a switch associated withthe last-mentioned counter for opening the last-mentioned circuit whenthe last-mentioned counter reaches a given count.
 3. A motor drive unitin accordance with claim 1, wherein the last-mentioned means comprises along-film magazine having means for coupling the same to said drive unitand for rendering said switch ineffective and providing said otherenergization circuit upon the coupling of said magazine to said driveunit.
 4. A drive system for a camera, comprising a motor drive unithaving means including an electric motor for advancing film in thecamera, having a first film-frame counter means, and having first meansincluding a first switch for controlling the energization of said motorin order to deenergize said motor when said first counter means reachesa given count; a long-film magazine unit having a second film-framecounter means and having second means including a second switch forcontrolling the energization of said motor in order to deenergize saidmotor when said second counter means reaches a given count, and meansfor rendering said second means effective to control the energization ofsaid motor instead of said first means.
 5. A drive system in accordancewith claim 4, wherein said motor drive unit and said long-film magazineunit include means for coupling the same and wherein said renderingmeans is responsive to said coupling.
 6. A system in accordance withclaim 5, wherein the last-mentioned means comprises a further switch insaid drive unit in series with the first switch and means for openingthe further switch when the drive unit and the long-film magazine unitare coupled.
 7. A system in accordance with claim 5, wherein thelast-mentioned means comprises means for selectively connecting a powersource either directly to a circuit of said drive unit including saidfirst switch or through a circuit of said long-film magazine unit to acircuit of said drive unit not including said first switch.
 8. A systemin accordance with claim 4, wherein said long-film magazine unit hasmeans including a second electric motor for advancing film from saidmagazine, and wherein said drive unit has means including another switchfor controlling said second electric motor cooperatively with said firstelectric motor to effect film advance.